Every year, millions of devoted Hindus travel to Gaya in Bihar to perform gaya pind daan for their late ancestors. They do ceremonies like Tripindi Shradh, Narayan Bali, and Tarpan with deep devotion, believing that performing pind daan in gaya helps their ancestors attain moksha . However, behind this holy atmosphere, a major money-making practice has developed that turns a sacred event into a frustrating experience during gaya shradh.
The Subcontracting Problem
The main issue comes from local priests known as Gayawal Pandas. In the past, Pandas personally conducted rituals for the families who came to them. Today, many Pandas act more like business operators rather than personal spiritual guides, which spoils the true meaning of gaya pind daan.
To make as much money as possible—especially during busy times like Pitru Paksha. many Pandas outsource the rituals. When a family agrees on a total package price with a Panda for pind daan in gaya, that Panda often hands the actual work over to a hired junior priest. By doing this, one Panda can take money from dozens of families in a single day while letting someone else do the ceremony.
Demand for Extra Money During Pooja
The real trouble for people doing gaya shradh starts right in the middle of the ritual. Families think everything is settled because they already paid the primary Panda. However, the hired priest often claims he knows nothing about the original agreement.
During the ritual, this new assigned pandit demands extra dakshina on the spot. If the family hesitates to pay extra money during pind daan in gaya, the priest uses fear and pressure, telling them that:
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The mantras will not work without extra payment.
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He will not offer the pinds for their ancestors.
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Their ancestors’ souls will remain trapped and restless.
The Big Dilemma: Scared that their ancestral gaya shradh will stay incomplete, grieving family members feel forced to pay whatever extra money is demanded.
Why Change Is Needed
This unfair practice harms the sacred reputation of gaya pind daan. Turning holy rituals into a money trap goes against basic religious values.
For Gaya to remain a place of peace and spiritual freedom, local authorities need to enforce strict rules, fixed prices, and proper priest verification. Until these changes happen, many families coming for pind daan in gaya will leave with sad memories,not just from missing their ancestors, but from being taken advantage of at a holy place.
